Adjustable-position limb and/or instrument support arm for medical tables

ABSTRACT

An adjustable-position support arm for a medical table, the adjustable-position support arm comprising:
         a plurality of tubular elements connected to one another in series at a plurality of joints;   a locking mechanism disposed at each joint so that a first portion of the locking mechanism is secured to a first tubular element of that joint and a second portion of the locking mechanism is secured to the second tubular element of that same joint, wherein the locking mechanism is normally configured in a locked condition so as to prevent rotation of the first tubular element relative to the second tubular element, and further wherein the locking mechanism may be selectively reconfigured in an unlocked condition so that the first tubular element is rotatable relative to the second tubular element; and   an actuator for simultaneously reconfiguring all of the locking mechanisms from their locked condition to their unlocked condition, whereby to permit the plurality of tubular elements to be rotated about the plurality of joints.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/757,933, filed Jan. 29, 2013 by PeterSchuerch, Jr. for ADJUSTABLE-POSITION LIMB AND INSTRUMENT SUPPORT SYSTEMFOR SURGICAL TABLES (Attorney's Docket No. SCHUREMED-2 PROV), whichpatent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to medical apparatus and procedures in general,and more particularly to adjustable-position limb and/or instrumentsupport arms for medical tables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a patient is undergoing a medical procedure, it may be necessaryand/or desirable to provide a support arm, for attachment to a medicaltable, for positioning and supporting a patient's limb (e.g., duringshoulder surgery) and/or for positioning and supporting medicalinstruments (e.g., endoscopes, laparoscopes, etc.), etc. In general, itis important that this support arm be capable of adjustable positioningso as to accommodate a wide range of different patient needs and becapable of reliably maintaining its position under substantial load(e.g., while holding a limb in traction).

Conventional adjustable-position limb and/or instrument support arms formedical tables tend to suffer from a limited range of motion, slippageduring use, high cost, etc.

Thus there is a need for a new adjustable-position limb and/orinstrument support arm for medical tables which provides a wide range ofmotion, reliably maintains its position during use, is relatively low incost, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new adjustable-position limb and/orinstrument support arm for medical tables which provides a wide range ofmotion, reliably maintains its position during use, is relatively low incost, etc.

In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided anadjustable-position support arm for a medical table, theadjustable-position support arm comprising:

a plurality of tubular elements connected to one another in series at aplurality of joints;

a locking mechanism disposed at each joint so that a first portion ofthe locking mechanism is secured to a first tubular element of thatjoint and a second portion of the locking mechanism is secured to thesecond tubular element of that same joint, wherein the locking mechanismis normally configured in a locked condition so as to prevent rotationof the first tubular element relative to the second tubular element, andfurther wherein the locking mechanism may be selectively reconfigured inan unlocked condition so that the first tubular element is rotatablerelative to the second tubular element; and

an actuator for simultaneously reconfiguring all of the lockingmechanisms from their locked condition to their unlocked condition,whereby to permit the plurality of tubular elements to be rotated aboutthe plurality of joints.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided amethod for adjustably supporting an object about a medical table, themethod comprising:

providing an adjustable-position support arm, the adjustable-positionsupport arm comprising:

-   -   a plurality of tubular elements connected to one another in        series at a plurality of joints;    -   a locking mechanism disposed at each joint so that a first        portion of the locking mechanism is secured to a first tubular        element of that joint and a second portion of the locking        mechanism is secured to the second tubular element of that same        joint, wherein the locking mechanism is normally configured in a        locked condition so as to prevent rotation of the first tubular        element relative to the second tubular element, and further        wherein the locking mechanism may be selectively reconfigured in        an unlocked condition so that the first tubular element is        rotatable relative to the second tubular element; and    -   an actuator for simultaneously reconfiguring all of the locking        mechanisms from their locked condition to their unlocked        condition, whereby to permit the plurality of tubular elements        to be rotated about the plurality of joints;

securing the adjustable-position support arm to a medical table;

activating the actuator to simultaneously reconfigure all of the lockingmechanisms from their locked condition to their unlocked condition, androtating at least some of the plurality of tubular elements about theirassociated joints.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will bemore fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is tobe considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein likenumbers refer to like parts, and further wherein:

FIGS. 1-10 are schematic views showing one form of anadjustable-position support arm formed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 11-15 are schematic views showing another form of anadjustable-position support arm formed in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 16-36 are schematic views showing another form of anadjustable-position support arm formed in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a new adjustable-position limb and/orinstrument support arm for medical tables which provides a wide range ofmotion, reliably maintains its position during use, is relatively low incost, etc.

Cable-Based Adjustable-Position Support Arm

In one preferred form of the present invention, and looking now at FIGS.1-15, there is provided an adjustable-position limb and/or instrumentsupport arm 5. Adjustable-position support arm 5 comprises a means(e.g., a clamp 10) for attaching adjustable-position support arm 5 to amedical table (such as to the table rail of a medical table), preferablylocated at one end of the adjustable-position support arm, to which isattached a series of tubular elements 15 rotatably connected to oneanother in a generally end-to-end fashion, wherein tubular elements 15are independently rotatable about their longitudinal axes, whereby toprovide adjustable-position support arm 5 with a wide range of possibleconfigurations. Adjustable-position support arm 5 also comprises a means(e.g., a mount 17) preferably disposed on the opposing end of theadjustable-position support arm for attaching a working element (e.g., alimb support, an instrument support, etc.—such as the autoclavablesterilizable component 18 shown in FIGS. 11-13) to adjustable-positionsupport arm 5. As will hereinafter be discussed, tubular elements 15 maycomprise substantially straight tubular elements 15A and angled tubularelements 15B. Preferably angled tubular elements 15B comprise a rightangle configuration so that they have two longitudinal axes set at aright angle to one another.

Straight tubular elements 15A and angled tubular elements 15B are joinedto one another at suitable intervals (e.g., straight tubular elements15A are connected to angled tubular elements 15B, and/or angled tubularelements 15B are connected to other angled tubular elements 15B),whereby to form a series of joints 20 within adjustable-position supportarm 5, such that when the various tubular elements 15A, 15B are rotatedabout their respective longitudinal axes, the configuration of theoverall support arm can be adjusted.

At the intersections of the various tubular elements 15A, 15B, lockingmechanisms 25 are disposed such that when the locking mechanisms areengaged (i.e., locked), the adjacent tubular elements 15A, 15B arelocked against rotation relative to one another. Preferably all oflocking mechanisms 25 may be simultaneously engaged (i.e., locked) sothat the configuration of the entire assembly of tubular elements 15A,15B is locked in a particular configuration (i.e., adjustable-positionsupport arm 5 is locked in a particular configuration).

Conversely, when locking mechanisms 25 are disengaged (i.e., unlocked),the adjacent tubular elements 15A, 15B are free to rotate relative toone another. Preferably all of the locking mechanisms 25 may besimultaneously disengaged (i.e., unlocked) so that the entire assemblyof tubular elements 15A, 15B is then free to move about its joints 20,i.e., with each tubular element 15A, 15B free to move about its own axisof rotation. In this way, support arm 5 is free to assume a differentconfiguration.

A length of cable 30 (or, alternatively, a series of rods, chains or thelike) runs axially through tubular elements 15A, 15B (and throughlocking mechanisms 25) such that cable 30 can simultaneously move all ofthe locking mechanisms 25 from an engaged position (i.e., a lockedposition) to a disengaged position (i.e., an unlocked position) uponactivation by the user, i.e., by axial movement of the cable, when asuitable axial force is applied to the cable, e.g., by a lever 35.

It will be appreciated that various bearings, axles, slides, tubularconduits, guides or the like may be provided in or on tubular elements15A, 15B so as to guide the tubular elements through theirpreviously-described axial rotations.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, spring mechanisms40 are provided within tubular elements 15A, 15B such that lockingmechanisms 25 (contained within the tubular elements) are alwaysreturned to their engaged position (i.e., their locked position) aftertension on cable 30 is relaxed. In other words, in one preferredembodiment of the present invention, locking mechanisms 25 are allnormally maintained in their engaged position (i.e., locked position),but they may all be simultaneously moved into their disengaged position(i.g., unlocked position) by applying tension on cable 30, and maythereafter all be returned to their engaged position (i.e., lockedposition) by relaxing the tension imposed on cable 30, whereupon springmechanisms 40 return all of locking mechanisms 25 to their engagedposition (i.e., locked position).

A release mechanism (e.g., the aforementioned lever 35) is connected tocable 30 so that an operator can (i) manually apply tension to cable 30,whereby to simultaneously release all of locking mechanisms 25, and (ii)thereafter move the assembly of tubular elements 15A, 15B (i.e.,adjustable-position support arm 5) into a new configuration. After theassembly of tubular elements 15A, 15B have been moved into their newconfiguration, the release mechanism (e.g., lever 35) is released,whereby to lock the assembly of tubular elements 15A, 15B (i.e.,adjustable-position support arm 5) into its new configuration.

The release mechanism (e.g., lever 35), which operates cable 30 whichextends through the series of tubular elements 15A, 15B and selectivelyreleases locking mechanisms 25, may be located anywhere on theadjustable-position support arm 5. In one preferred form of the presentinvention, the release mechanism (e.g., lever 30) is located on the endof the adjustable-position support arm 5 opposite to the end which ismounted to the medical table.

FIG. 1 shows the overall relationship of the major components of theadjustable-position support arm, consisting of an arrangement of tubularelements 15 (some being straight tubular elements 15A and some beingangled tubular elements 15B) connected one to another in end-to-endfashion, with each of the tubular elements 15 being independentlyrotatable about their longitudinal axes, whereby to permitadjustable-position support arm 5 to assume a variety of configurations.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the adjustable-position support arm 5 inFIG. 1. A locking mechanism 25 is placed at the rotatable connectionbetween each of the tubular elements 15. A spring mechanism 40 ispositioned at each locking mechanism 25 such that the locking mechanismis maintained in its engaged position (i.e., locked position) at alltimes, except for when tension is placed on cable 30 (i.e., byactivating lever 35), which action disengages (i.e., unlocks) thelocking mechanism 25 so that the associated tubular elements 15 canrotate about their longitudinal axes.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of one preferred construction for lockingmechanism 25. Locking mechanism 25 comprises a male locking gear 45having two arms 50, with gear-like teeth 55 located at the distal endsof those arms 50. Male locking gear 45 extends through windows 60 formedin a locking guide spindle 65 and selectively locks to a female lockinggear 70. By virtue of the fact that the two arms 50 of male locking gear45 extend through windows 60 formed in locking guide spindle 65, lockingguide spindle 65 can rotate only when male locking gear 45 is free torotate. A shaft portion 75 of locking guide spindle 65 provides an axleabout which male locking gear 45 and female locking gear 70 may rotatewhen they are in their disengaged (i.e., unlocked) condition. In onepreferred form of the invention, shaft portion 75 of locking guidespindle 65 comprises a groove 77 for receiving a snap ring (not shown)for holding locking guide spindle 65 to female locking gear 70. Femalelocking gear 70 comprises gear-like teeth 80 on its inner surface suchthat teeth 80 of female locking gear 70 mesh and interlock with teeth 55of male locking gear 45 when male locking gear 45 and female lockinggear 70 are slidably moved together to their engaged (i.e., locked)position. When teeth 55 of male locking gear 45 and teeth 80 of femalelocking gear 70 are engaged with one another, rotational movement ofmale locking gear 45 and female locking gear 70 relative to one anotheris prevented (and, by virtue of arms 50 of male locking gear 45 passingthrough windows 60 in locking guide spindle 65, rotational movement oflocking guide spindle 65 and female locking gear 70 relative to oneanother is also prevented). The aforementioned spring mechanism 40(FIGS. 2 and 8) normally biases male locking gear 45 into engagementwith female locking gear 70.

Locking mechanisms 25 are disposed at the joints 20 between adjacenttubular elements 15. More particularly, locking guide spindle 65 ismounted to one of the adjacent tubular elements 15, and female lockinggear 70 is mounted to the other of the adjacent tubular elements 15.When locking mechanism 25 is in its engaged (i.e., locked) position, theadjacent tubular elements 15 are prohibited from rotating relative toone another, and when the locking mechanism 25 is in its disengaged(i.e., unlocked) position, the adjacent tubular elements are allowed torotate relative to one another.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism 25shown in FIG. 3. Cable 30 runs through the locking mechanism 25, with arelease node 85 permanently attached to cable 30 between locking guidespindle 65 and male locking gear 45, such that when cable 30 is pulledupward (from the frame of reference shown in FIG. 4), release node 85contacts the underside of male locking gear 45 and pulls the malelocking gear out of engagement with female locking gear 70, therebydisengaging (i.e., unlocking) the locking mechanism 25 (i.e., allowinglocking guide spindle 65 and female locking gear 70 to rotateindependently of one another, whereby to allow their respectiveassociated tubular elements 15 to rotate relative to one another).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show how the various tubular elements 15 ofadjustable-position support arm 5 may be reconfigured when the gears ofthe locking mechanisms 25 are released relative to each other. Moreparticularly, FIG. 5 shows support arm 5 after being released andre-locked in a configuration which is different from the configurationshown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 shows the support arm 5 of FIG. 5 reconfiguredinto still another configuration. In other words, by pulling on cable 30extending through adjustable-position support arm 5, the various releasenodes 85 positioned on cable 30 are simultaneously moved against thevarious male locking gears 45 of locking mechanisms 25, whereby tosimultaneously release all of the locking mechanisms contained withinthe adjustable-position support arm, thereby allowing the support arm tobe reconfigured by the user.

In the adjustable-position support arm 5 shown in FIGS. 1-15, there are24 distinct positions for each locking mechanism 25 (determined by thenumber of teeth 55, 80 provided on male locking gear 45 and femalelocking gear 70, respectively, in the locking mechanism), and 8different locking mechanisms 25, thereby resulting in 1.1×10¹¹ possiblepositions for adjustable-position support arm 5. Obviously, additionaldistinct locking positions (provided by utilizing more teeth for eachlocking gear 45, 70) result in more possible positions foradjustable-position support arm 5. Furthermore, utilizing additionalrotatably-jointed tubular elements 15 within the support arm (eachspanned by a locking mechanism 25) will also result in more possiblepositions for adjustable-position support arm 5. Alternatively, lessteeth may be used in each locking mechanism 25, and/or less lockingmechanisms may be used in the adjustable-position support arm 5. Thus itshould be appreciated that the particular exemplary constructiondisclosed herein is not intended to limit the invention in any way.

It is, therefore, possible to position support arm 5 so as to hold alimb and/or instrument precisely in substantially any configurationuseful in a medical procedure.

FIG. 7 shows the functional components of adjustable-position supportarm 5 in relation to each other in a partially-exploded perspectiveview.

FIG. 8 shows a partial sectional view of a portion ofadjustable-position support arm 5, including the releasing lever 35. Inthis view, locking mechanisms 25 (each consisting of a male locking gear45, locking guide spindle 65 and female locking gear 70) are shown intheir engaged (i.e., locked) position. Note that inasmuch as teeth 55 ofmale locking gear 45 are engaged with teeth 80 of female locking gear70, the tubular elements 15 (to which locking guide spindle 65 andfemale locking gear 70 are attached) are prohibited from rotating abouttheir respective longitudinal axes.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view similar to that of FIG. 8, exceptthat in FIG. 9, lever 35 is in its activated position, pulling cable 30and thereby bringing all of the cable nodes 85 into contact with all ofthe male locking gears 45 and pulling those male locking gears out ofengagement with their counterpart female locking gears 70. Thus, in thisfigure, lever 35 has moved cable 30, which has moved all of the cablenodes 85, which have urged all of the male locking gears 45 so as toovercome the bias of the aforementioned spring mechanisms 40, whereby toseparate male locking gears 45 and female locking gears 70 and therebyplace all of the locking mechanisms 25 in their disengaged (i.e.,unlocked) positions. Note that in this state, female locking gears 70are free to rotate about their respective locking guide spindles 65 andthe tubular elements 15 to which the locking guide spindles 65 andfemale locking gears 70 are attached are then free to rotate about theirrespective longitudinal axes.

Thus it will be seen that the overall device comprises a series oftubular elements 15 which are connected to one another via a series ofjoints 20, with locking mechanisms 25 being disposed at each of thosejoints. At each joint 20, the locking guide spindle 65 is secured to oneof the adjacent tubular elements 15 and the female locking gear 70 issecured to the other of the adjacent tubular elements 15. As a result ofthis construction, when the locking mechanism 25 is in its engaged(i.e., locked) condition, the two tubular elements 15 of a given joint20 are locked to one another so that the tubular elements are heldagainst rotation; however, when the locking mechanism 25 is in itsdisengaged (i.e., unlocked) condition, the two tubular elements 15 of agiven joint 20 are free to rotate relative to one another. Each of thelocking mechanisms 25 is normally held in its engaged (i.e., locked)condition by spring mechanisms 40, however, the bias of these springmechanisms can be overcome by moving cable 30. More particularly, themovement of cable 30 causes the release nodes 85 mounted on the cable tosimultaneously force all of the male locking gears 45 to disengage fromall of the female locking gears 70, whereby to simultaneously releaseall of the locking mechanisms 25, and thereby allow the tubular elements15 to rotate at each joint 20, whereby to allow support arm 5 to bereconfigured.

As shown in both FIGS. 8 and 9, a bearing element (e.g., a pulley 90) ispreferably incorporated in each of the angled tubular elements 15B, atthe intersection of the two longitudinal axes of the angled tubularelement 15B, so that cable 30 passes smoothly through the angled tubularelement 15B, without kinking or pulling against sharp edges or cornersand with a minimum of friction, so as to prevent damage the cable.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the portion ofadjustable-position support arm 5 carrying lever 35. In one preferredform of the invention, lever 35 comprises a bearing 95 which engages aball 97 set at the head of cable 30. Ball 97 turns freely on bearing 95such that any twisting of cable 30 caused by the rotation of the tubularelements 15 is relieved at the head of cable 30.

FIGS. 11-15 show a modified form of the present invention. In this formof the invention, the nodes 85 for releasing the locking mechanisms 25are releasably mounted to cable 30. More particularly, in this form ofthe invention, each of the nodes 85 has a longitudinal bore 98 formedtherein for receiving the cable, and a crossbore 99 intersecting thelongitudinal bore 98 for receiving a set screw (not shown) forreleasably securing node 85 to cable 30.

Rod-Based Adjustable-Position Support Arm

Looking next at FIGS. 16-36, there is shown another adjustable-positionsupport arm 105 also formed in accordance with the present invention.

Adjustable-position support arm 105 is generally similar to theaforementioned adjustable-position support arm 5, in the sense that itcomprises: (i) a means (e.g., a clamp 110) for attachingadjustable-position support arm 105 to a medical table (see, forexample, FIGS. 16-20); (ii) a series of tubular elements 115 (e.g.,straight tubular elements 115A and angled tubular elements 115B)rotatably connected to one another at a series of joints 120, whereby toprovide support arm 105 with a wide range of possible configurations(see, for example, FIGS. 16-18); (iii) a means (e.g., a mount 117)preferably disposed on the opposing end of the support arm for attachinga working element (e.g., a limb support, an instrument support,etc.—such as the autoclavable sterilizable component 118) to theopposing end of the adjustable-position support arm (see, for example,FIGS. 16-20); (iv) locking mechanisms 125 located at each of the joints120 for prohibiting rotation about the joints 120, whereby to lockadjustable-position support arm 105 in a particular configuration (see,for example, FIGS. 18-20); and (v) an actuator 130 connected to a lever135 for selectively, simultaneously disengaging (i.e., unlocking) all ofthe locking mechanisms 125, whereby to permit tubular elements 115 torotate about their joints 120 and thereby allow support arm 105 to bere-configured into another configuration.

However, in this form of the invention, among other things: (i) theaforementioned locking mechanism 25 of adjustable-position support arm 5has been replaced by a different locking mechanism 125 inadjustable-position support arm 105 (see, for example, FIGS. 18-20); and(ii) the aforementioned actuator cable 30 of adjustable-position supportarm 5 has been replaced by a different actuator 130 inadjustable-position support arm 105.

More particularly, in this form of the invention, the actuator 130 ofadjustable-position support arm 105 comprises a rod linkage comprising aseries of rods 131A, 131B, 131C, etc. which extend through tubularelements 115 and locking mechanisms 125 (see, for example, FIGS. 18-20)and which are connected together at their intersections by pivot arms190 which are rotatably mounted within angled tubular elements 115B(see, for example, FIGS. 19 and 20). Thus, in this form of theinvention, actuator 130 of adjustable-position support arm 105 comprisesa rod linkage comprising rods 131A, 131B, 131C, etc. connected togetherat their intersections by pivot arms 190. And in this form of theinvention, one end of the rod linkage of actuator 130 is connected tothe lever 135 mounted on adjustable-position support arm 105, whereby toallow the user to apply “pull” to the rod linkage, and one rod 131extends through each locking mechanism 125, whereby that rod of the rodlinkage of actuator 130 can be used to actuate the locking mechanismwhich it extends through, as will hereinafter be discussed.

Looking next at FIGS. 21-31, locking mechanism 125 generally comprises afirst locking gear 205 and a second locking gear 210. A housing 215receives first locking gear 205 and second locking gear 210. Firstlocking gear 205 and housing 215 are fixed against rotation relative toone another by tongues 220 on housing 215 (FIG. 27) which are receivedin corresponding recesses 225 in first locking gear 205 (FIG. 28). Aspring 230 is captured between first locking gear 205 and housing 215.Spring 230 biases first locking gear 205 into locking engagement withsecond locking gear 210.

Locking mechanism 125 also comprises means for overcoming the bias ofspring 230 so as to allow first locking gear 205 and second locking gear210 to rotate relative to one another. More particularly, lockingmechanism 125 comprises a sleeve 235 (FIG. 31) which is disposedcoaxially over the rod 131 (of the rod linkage of actuator 130) which isassociated with (i.e., extends through) that locking mechanism. A node240 is mounted on sleeve 235, adjacent to mounts 245 which are securedto the associated rod 131 of the rod linkage of actuator 130, such thatwhen the associated rod 131 of the rod linkage is moved (i.e., bypulling on lever 135) so that mounts 245 move toward second locking gear210, node 240 is also moved toward second locking gear 210. A pluralityof pins 250 extend through second locking gear 210 (FIG. 29), andbetween node 240 and first locking gear 205 (FIG. 31), so that when node240 is moved toward second locking gear 210 (e.g., by the associated rod131 of the rod linkage), first locking gear 205 is forced away fromsecond locking gear 210 by pins 250, whereby to disengage first lockinggear 205 from second locking gear 210 (and thereby allow first lockinggear 205 and second locking gear 210 to rotate relative to one another).

Thus it will be seen that with locking mechanism 125, spring 230normally biases first locking gear 205 into locking engagement withsecond locking gear 210, but the associated rod 131 of the rod linkageof actuator 130 may be used to move node 240 toward second locking gear210, whereby to cause pins 250 to move first locking gear 205 out ofengagement with second locking gear 210 and thereby allow first lockinggear 205 and second locking gear 210 to rotate relative to one another.

In accordance with the present invention, housing 215 of lockingmechanism 125 is secured to an adjacent tubular element 115, e.g., bybolts 255 (FIGS. 32 and 33). Inasmuch as housing 215 is rotationallyfixed to first locking gear 205, that adjacent tubular element 115 isitself rotationally fixed to first locking gear 205.

Also in accordance with the present invention, second locking gear 210is secured to another adjacent tubular element 115, e.g., by bolts 260(FIGS. 34 and 35).

On account of the foregoing construction, where a locking mechanism 125is disposed at a joint 120 between a first tubular element 115 and asecond tubular element 115, and where that first tubular element 115 issecured to the housing 215 of that locking mechanism 125 and the secondtubular element 115 is secured to the second locking gear 210 of thatlocking mechanism 125, the first tubular element 115 and the secondtubular element 115 are rotationally fixed relative to one another whenno force is applied to the associated rod 131 of the rod linkage ofactuator 130 (due to the bias imposed on first locking gear 205 byspring 230). However, when an appropriate force is applied to theassociated rod 131 of the rod linkage of actuator 130 so as to overcomethe force of spring 230 (i.e., so as to move first locking gear 205 outof engagement with second locking gear 210), the first tubular element115 and the second tubular element 115 will be free to rotate relativeto one another.

Thus it will be seen that with adjustable-position support arm 105 ofthe present invention, when no force is applied to lever 135, lockingmechanisms 125 will hold tubular elements 115 locked about the joints120 in a particular configuration. However, when force is applied tolever 135, the various rods 131 of the rod linkage of actuator 130 willsimultaneously move within each locking mechanism 125, whereby toactuate (i.e., unlock) the locking mechanisms and thereby allow tubularelements 115 to be re-configured into another configuration. Thereafterreleasing lever 135 will cause the locking mechanisms 125 tosimultaneously return to their locked states, whereby to hold thetubular elements in their new configuration.

MODIFICATIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood that many additional changes in the details,materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been hereindescribed and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the presentinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art while still remainingwithin the principles and scope of the invention.

1. An adjustable-position support arm for a medical table, theadjustable-position support arm comprising: a plurality of tubularelements connected to one another in series at a plurality of joints; alocking mechanism disposed at each joint so that a first portion of thelocking mechanism is secured to a first tubular element of that jointand a second portion of the locking mechanism is secured to the secondtubular element of that same joint, wherein the locking mechanism isnormally configured in a locked condition so as to prevent rotation ofthe first tubular element relative to the second tubular element, andfurther wherein the locking mechanism may be selectively reconfigured inan unlocked condition so that the first tubular element is rotatablerelative to the second tubular element; and an actuator forsimultaneously reconfiguring all of the locking mechanisms from theirlocked condition to their unlocked condition, whereby to permit theplurality of tubular elements to be rotated about the plurality ofjoints.
 2. An adjustable-position support arm according to claim 1wherein at least one tubular element is straight.
 3. Anadjustable-position support arm according to claim 1 wherein at leastone tubular element is angled.
 4. An adjustable-position support armaccording to claim 3 wherein at least one tubular element is angled at aright angle.
 5. An adjustable-position support arm according to claim 1wherein a plurality of the tubular elements are straight and a pluralityof the tubular elements are angled.
 6. An adjustable-position supportarm according to claim 5 wherein each straight tubular element isseparated from another straight tubular element by an angled tubularelement.
 7. An adjustable-position support arm according to claim 1further comprising a mount secured to one of the tubular elements forsecuring that tubular element to a medical table.
 8. Anadjustable-position support arm according to claim 1 further comprisinga mount secured to one of the tubular elements for securing a patientsupport to that tubular element.
 9. An adjustable-position support armaccording to claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises an elongatedcomponent extending through the plurality of tubular elements andthrough each locking mechanism.
 10. An adjustable-position support armaccording to claim 9 wherein one end of the elongated component issecured to a lever.
 11. An adjustable-position support arm according toclaim 9 wherein the elongated component comprises a cable.
 12. Anadjustable-position support arm according to claim 11 further comprisinga plurality of nodes secured to the cable, and further wherein the nodesare arranged to apply a force to the locking mechanisms when the cableis moved, whereby to reconfigure the locking mechanisms from theirlocked condition to their unlocked condition. 13.-16. (canceled)
 17. Anadjustable-position support arm according to claim 1 wherein the lockingmechanism comprises a male locking gear, a locking guide spindle, afemale locking gear, and a spring; wherein the male locking gear and thelocking guide spindle are arranged so as to allow longitudinal movementbetween the male locking gear and the locking guide spindle but toprevent rotational movement between the male locking gear and thelocking guide spindle; wherein the spring is arranged to bias the malelocking gear into locking engagement with the female locking gear;wherein the actuator is arranged to selectively move the male lockinggear out of locking engagement with the female locking gear; and whereinthe locking guide spindle is secured to the first tubular element of ajoint and the female locking gear is secured to the second tubularelement of that same joint.
 18. An adjustable-position support armaccording to claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a firstlocking gear, a second locking gear, a housing receiving the firstlocking gear and the second locking gear, and a spring; wherein thefirst locking gear and the housing are arranged so as to allowlongitudinal movement between the first locking gear and the housing butto prevent rotational movement between the first locking gear and thehousing; wherein the spring is arranged to bias the first locking gearinto locking engagement with the second locking gear; wherein theactuator is arranged to selectively move the first locking gear out oflocking engagement with the second locking gear; and wherein the housingis secured to the first tubular element of a joint and the secondlocking gear is secured to the second tubular element of that samejoint.
 19. A method for adjustably supporting an object about a medicaltable, the method comprising: providing an adjustable-position supportarm, the adjustable-position support arm comprising: a plurality oftubular elements connected to one another in series at a plurality ofjoints; a locking mechanism disposed at each joint so that a firstportion of the locking mechanism is secured to a first tubular elementof that joint and a second portion of the locking mechanism is securedto the second tubular element of that same joint, wherein the lockingmechanism is normally configured in a locked condition so as to preventrotation of the first tubular element relative to the second tubularelement, and further wherein the locking mechanism may be selectivelyreconfigured in an unlocked condition so that the first tubular elementis rotatable relative to the second tubular element; and an actuator forsimultaneously reconfiguring all of the locking mechanisms from theirlocked condition to their unlocked condition, whereby to permit theplurality of tubular elements to be rotated about the plurality ofjoints; securing the adjustable-position support arm to a medical table;activating the actuator to simultaneously reconfigure all of the lockingmechanisms from their locked condition to their unlocked condition, androtating at least some of the plurality of tubular elements about theirassociated joints.
 20. A method according to claim 19 comprising theadditional step of: deactivating the actuator to simultaneouslyreconfigure all of the locking mechanisms from their unlocked conditionto their locked condition, whereby to secure the plurality of tubularelements against rotation about their associated joints.